Andrew Whitelaw is relishing the chance to represent the United Arab Emirates Professional Golfers Association when he tees up a field containing world number one Tiger Woods at the Dubai Desert Classic next week.

Whitelaw, director of golf at Emirates Golf Club, won his place by triumphing in two rounds of professional qualifying over the championship’s Majlis course.

He narrowly pipped fellow UAE PGA pro Luke Cantelo (The Montgomerie Dubai) who saw a 10-foot eagle putt on the final hole that would have forced a play-off with Whitelaw slip agonisingly past the right edge of the cup.

It is the fourth time that Whitelaw has qualified for the Desert Classic and he said: “It feels great to be
having another go at it.”

Whitelaw has a simple ambition for the 2008 tournament which begins on January 31. “Before, I
generally finished last or second last so I want to do better this time!” he joked.

“But seriously, I do want to beat my best previous score but the main thing is to enjoy the experience.”

He wouldn’t reveal who would be carrying his bag during the European Tour event, but his caddie is
sure to come from the ranks of fellow
UAE PGA pros. “I haven’t decided yet,” he said. “There’s a few contenders, that’s for sure.
Maybe I’ll have to raffle it!”

With the recent rain the rough has thickened up on the Majlis course and Whitelaw believes the key to
scoring well next week will be to keep the ball out of trouble. “If you can keep it on the fairways then
you’ll make more greens and have more birdie putts. That’s going to be the key round here.

“The rough is really thick in places and it’s only going to get worse between now and then. The course
will play really long during the Classic and be a tough test.”

Whitelaw will be joined in the tournament by one of his former golf pupils, Emirates Golf Club member Matthew Turner, who won the amateur qualifying event with a sizzling last-round of 69 on the Majlis championship set-up. And Whitelaw had nothing but praise for the exceptional 17-year-old.

“It will be a big step up for Matthew,” said Whitehead. “But if he controls his nerves well and plays the way he can play – after all he knows this course better than anyone else who’s going to be playing that week – then I’d be hopeful that he can make the cut.

“He’s got the game. If he putts well and plays his best he can do it.”

For more information on the UAE PGA or their activities please contact Julian Danby, UAE PGA Secretary, on 050 456 0779 or email jdanby@dubaigolf.com